Hair protecting device for use with bathing caps



P 11, 1952 l. s. BLANCHARD 3,052,888

HAIR PROTECTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH BATHING CAPS Filed Sept. 11, 1961 I, F"''-7 j z'gliizzzzzg IN V EN TOR.

/RENE 5. BLANC/MRD BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,952,888 HAIR PROTECTING DEVICE FOR USE WITH BATI-HNG CAPS Irene S. Blanchard, 340 Blue Oak Lane, Los Altos, Calif. Filed Sept. 11, 1961, Ser. No. 137,187 Claims. (Cl. 268) This invention relates to a hair protecting band of the type shown in copending application Serial No. 101,855 filed April 10, 1961, and has for one of its objects the provision of a hair protecting device that is more economical to make than heretofore, and that is more effective than prior devices for the same purpose.

Heretofore, attempts to produce hair protecting bands intended for accomplishing the results of the present invention have usually resorted to elastic materials for effecting a tight fit along the hair line, or else the bands that are intended to absorb moisture before it reaches the hair have been specially cut in an efiort to contour the band to an average head in recognition of the fact that different heads are of different contours. Also, bands have usually been widened in the central portion and of various Widths at the ends, and most bands have been wider at the ear crossing portions to fully cover the ears which, of course, also efiectively impedes the hearing. However, insofar as I am aware, no band has heretofore been produced that is adapted to effectively prevent leakage to the hair when used on different heads of substantially difierent sizes and contours.

It may be noted that caps having structure incorporated therein have been found to be least efiective since the cap must stretch to fit over the head, or else a chin strap is used, and the structure for performing the hair covering function involves considerations that must be avoided in structure for accomplishing the results of the present invention.

The results desired are (a) a protective band that is economical to make; (b) a band that is easy to properly apply; (c) a band that is comfortable to wear; (d) a band that is effective in preventing moisture from reaching the hair even when portions of the band may be saturated; (e) a band that will be adapted to automatically contour itself to the head of any wearer, irrespective of differences in head size, contours, differences in hair lines and in the quantity of hair.

It is an object of the invention to provide a band having structure that accomplishes the results above noted.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hair protecting band that is adapted to absorb such moisture as may seep past the edge of the cap and which band will neither tighten on the head nor will it loosen when moistened.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a hair protective band that is adapted to be fastened in head encircling position around the head of the wearer along the hair line with a uniform, comfortable snugness essential to forming an effective sealing engagement with the skin, irrespective of differences in head size, or the contour of the head or hair line, etc., and which band will have the same degree of tightness whether dry or moist.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and drawings.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a reduced size plan view of the hair protecting band as seen from the side that is adapted to face the hair when worn on the head.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as seen from line Z2 of FIG. 1, but enlarged relative to the size of the band as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a profile view of the head of a wearer with the band on the head, and the dot-dash lines indicate the outline of a bathing cap.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the lapped, releasably connected ends of the band when used on a head having a medium or average hair line over the forehead, the lapped ends of the band being over the forehead.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 in Which the lapped ends illustrate the positions of the said ends when the wearer has a relatively high hair line.

FIG. 6 semi-diagrammatically illustrates different positions of the band over the forehead for heads of different hair lines and contours from a very low hair line to a very high hair line.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2 but broken away in width, showing a modified form of structure.

In detail, the band herein illustrated comprises three strips, 1, 2 and 3, that are of uniform and substantially corresponding width and length, the strip 1 (FIGS. 1, 2) being of any suitable, moisture impervious, tough, relatively thin flexible sheet material, such as one of the many plastics, and the plastic used should also resist deterioration from exposure to the sun and repeated wetting and drying by either salt or fresh water.

The sheet 2 (FIG. 2) is also preferably of plastic or rubberdike sponge or foam material, which is resilient and also resists deterioration from sun and from repeated Wetting and drying. Such conventional materials as are used for cushioning purposes have been found to be suitable. This strip may be from A; to inch in thickness. One-eighth inch thickness has been found to be quite satisfactory.

The sheet 3 is of moisture-absorbent material such as charnois skin or conventional fabrics of moisture-absorbent material. Chamois skin has been found to 'be preferable due to its soft, flexible characteristics and particularly its capacity to absorb moisture.

The three strips, as above described, are secured together along their corresponding edges with strip 2. disposed between strips 1 and 3. Whether or not strip 2 is moisture-absorbent is immaterial, and conventional foam-like sheet material that is more cellular than porous, and therefore less moisture absorbent, is preferable since it is not used for its moisture properties.

A substantially inextensible cord or member 4 extending longitudinally of the strips 1, 2, and 3, and against the marginal portion of strip 1, is secured to the said strips by wrapping said marginal portion around said cord so that the cord is enclosed within the corresponding marginal portions of strips 1, 2, 3 with the moisture absorbent strip outermost and the moisture impervious strip next v to the cord, while the compressible sponge or foam-like material of strip 2 is between them (FIG. 2). Stitching 5 may secure the said marginal portions along the free longitudinal adjacent edges of the strips to the body of band that is formed by said strips in cord enclosing relation, and the ends of said cord are firmly secured in any suitable manner to the ends of the strips. The stitches securing the ends of said strips together may also secure the ends of the cord to said strips.

The economy effected by using straight strips of equal width and length in forming the band, is believed to be apparent, as distinguished from structure in which the strips were of different widths at points along their lengths, or that were curved in the plane of the strips.

Adjacent to each of the opposite ends of the band that is formed by the three strips, is a fastener, one being indicated at 10 extending generally longitudinally of the band, and the other being indicated at 11 and extending slantingly across the band.

The fastener 10 is preferably stitched against the side of the band that is formed by strip 3, while the fastener 11 is preferably stitched against the moisture impervious strip 1. These fasteners are of the nylon tape type, generally known under the trade name of Velcro. The exposed surface of the fastener is formed of indiscriminately arranged filaments of relatively coarse strong plastic material, whereas the exposed surface of the fastener 1:1 is formed of short relatively stiff but resilient filaments projecting substantially perpendicularly outwardly from a flat woven base, the outer ends of which latter filaments are hooked. Upon pressing the exposed surface of the fastener 11 against the exposed surface of fastener 10, the hooks of fastener 11 will pass into the matted filaments on fastener 10 and will hook onto said filaments, so that the fasteners will be tightly held together against a force tending to pull them apart in the direction of the length of the band, although they may be separated readily by pulling the ends of the'band apart in a direction transversely of the planes of the ends of the bands.

Preferably each fastener 10, 11 is also stitched to the cord or member 4. Thus tension on the fasteners will be through the inextensible cord.

In applying the band, one end of the latter is grasped by the fingers of each hand and is suspended with the central portion behind the neck. The bead 12, which is the enlarged roll formed by the cord 4 and its covering, is positioned just below the hair line behind the neck with the moisture impervious sheet facing generally upwardly and toward the hair. The band is then drawn around the head in head encircling relation by swinging the end portions over the forehead in lappingrelation with fastener 10 facing outwardly and below the fastener 11. The bead 12 will be just outside the hair line in snug engagement with the skin, while the moisture impervious strip 1 will face the hair and will be substantially against the hair.

When in the position described, the band will not fully cover the ears when the bead 12 is just below the ear lobes (FIG. 3); hence, hearing by reason of the band is not substantially impeded.

The bathing cap, generally indicated at 14- (FIG. 3), is then drawn over the head so that the edge or marginal portion along its full edge extends slightly beyond the bead 12 and in engagement with the skin of the wearer.

Heretofore the importance of providing a structure preventing the band from stretching, when the head 12 became wet through its absorbing moisture, had not been fully appreciated. By providing a cord 4 encased in moisture impervious material and securing the ends of the'cord to such material, the band is prevented from stretching, and thereby becoming sufiiciently loose to permit seepage of water past the head 12.

Also, the need for providing structure in which the band may be snugly held at a uniform tension on any head and heads of different contours, while recognized, has heretofore been considered impossible. The use of elastic in an attempt to solve the problem has been discarded for the reason that the considerable yieldable tension against the head is not only uncomfortable, but in some instances it dangerously impedes circulation.

Furthermore, no solution has heretofore been found for automatically contouring a simple band to any hair line and contour.

The provision of means for securing the ends of the band together at an indeterminate number of points at the lapping ends, and at any degree of angularity between the lapped ends, has solved both problems.

As seen in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the lapping of the ends of the band at difierent angles results in different angles of the band (transversely thereof) relative to horizontal,

hence, where the wearer has a medium height hair line across the upper portion of the forehead, the ends may be crossed generally as seen in FIG. 4, and the full line position of FIG. 6 of the portion 15 of the band extending away from the bead, will correctly extend over the hair,

while the crossing, of the ends at a greater angle will contour the band for a still lower hair line, and the position 15 will be established. For higher hair lines, or an extremely high hair line, the end portions may be aligned, one over the other, as seen in FIG. 5, or in position 15" of FIG. 6.

In each instance the bead 12 will snugly follow the hair line across the temples and sides of the face and past and below, but closely adjacent to the lobes of the ears, and behind the neck.

It is obvious that some moisture from the bead may be transmitted to the portion of the strip 3 extending away from the bead. However, the covering of the bead is normally adequate for absorbing such moisture as may leak past the edge of the bathing cap and the strip '1 will prevent this moisture from reaching the hair.

FIG. 7 shows a modified form of structure in which the strip 1 is replaced by a skin 16 of natural or synthetic latex to the surface of the foam-like cushion strip, designated 17 in FIG. 7. This skin is integrally united with the strip 17 and effectively closes the surface cells. This skin, or coating, may obviously be of natural or synthetic latex such as used in industry for reinforcing and toughening foam rubber and the like, and may be applied by spraying, dipping or painting. Preferably the entire strip 17 is coated, thus isolating the cells within the strip from moisture, and at the same time the coating toughens the material to a sufficient degree to prevent tearing.

The fasteners 10, 11 of FIG. 1 may be stitched or cemented to the band, although in each instance it should preferably be secured to the ends of the cord 18.

The moisture absorbent layer 19 may be stitched or cemented to the foam-like strip, and it will enclose the cord 18 so as to provide a moisture absorbent bead 20 that will function in the same manner as head 12.

The purpose of the strip 2 (or 17 is twofold. It provides a resilient cushion for the water absorbent strip, particularly around the cord 4 (or 18), and it also yieldably holds the portion of the moisture absorbent strip 3 (or 19) against undesirable wrinkling when the band is on the head. Previously, stays had been used to preclude wrinkling, but such stays are expensive and are relatively stiff, and function only at the spaced points Where they are positioned.

The resilient strip 2 (or 17) is continuous and precludes undesirable wrinkling of the moisture-absorbent strip at all points along the latter. This is a highly desirable feature since prior attempts to hold the moisture-absorbent strip against wrinkling at spaced points along the latter have resulted in localized tensions that tend to impair the sealing contact between the bead and the skin, particularly adjacent to the ears of the wearer.

In all forms of the invention the corners of the band at the ends of the edge that is opposite to the bead 12 are curved, starting from head 12 as indicated at 21 and 22, thus precluding sharp corners that might project into the cap.

The arrangement of the tape fasteners is such as to provide greatest areas in engagement in most instances, as seen in :FIG. 4.

The strip 2 of foam-like cushion is preferably relatively non-absorbent to moisture, since the interior cells are closed, but it may be of the type that is quite porous if used as shown in FIG. 7 without the chamois. In the other types, where relatively non-absorbent, the chamois will dry quickly after being wetted.

It is to be understood that the preferred form of the invention herein disclosed is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A hair protecting device separate from and adapted to be enclosed within a swimming cap on the head of a swimmer, comprising:

(a) a pair of inner and outer elongated strips of flexible material of similar length and similar width secured to each other in opposed relation providing an elongated band;

(12) said band being of st: fiicient length to encircle the head of said swimmer in a head encircling position so as to be disposed over the hair of said swimmer along the hair line of the head with the opposite end portions of said band above the forehead in lapping relation and with the marginal portion of said band along said hair line;

(0) the outer strip of said pair being of relatively soft,

moisture absorbent material;

(d) the inner strip being of thin, moisture impervious material;

(e) a relatively soft, flexible, elongated member of material that is substantially inextensible under a pulling strain applied longitudinally thereof extending substantially from end to end of said band along a longitudinally extending edge thereof;

(f) said longitudinally extending edge being folded around said member so as to enclose the latter with said moisture impervious strip next to said member and with said moisture absorbent strip outermost thereby forming a bead along said longitudinally extending edge, the folded portion of said moisture absorbent strip adapted to engage the skin of the head of said swimmer along said hair line adjacent to the latter;

g) separate flexible interengaging means respectively secured on the opposedly facing sides of said end portions adapted to releasably connect and hold said end portions together at substantially an indeterminate number of positions of said end portions relative to each other longitudinally and transversely of said band and at any angular position of said end portions relative to each other when said end portions are in said lapping engaging relation whereby said band will be adapted to be contoured to follow different hair lines and different head contours of heads of different sizes when in said head encircling position.

2. In a hair protecting device as defined in claim 1,

(h) a strip of resilient, relatively soft, compressible, sponge-like material around said member disposed between the marginal portion of said moisture impervious material and the said marginal portion of said moisture absorbent material providing a cushion around said member and which member will be protected against moisture that may be transmitted to said sponge-like material from said moisture absorbent material.

3. In a construction as defined in claim 2, said spongelike material extending from said member to the edge of said band that is opposite to said member.

4. A hair protecting device separate from and adapted to be enclosed within a swimming cap on the head of a swimmer, comprising:

(a) a pair of inner and outer elongated strips of flexible material of similar length and similar width secured to each other in opposed relation providing an elongated band;

(12) said band being of sufficient length to encircle the head of said swimmer in a head encircling position so as to be disposed over the hair of said swimmer along the hair line of the head with the opposite end portions of said band above the forehead in lapping relation and with the marginal portion of said band along said hair line;

(0) the outer strip of said pair being of relatively soft,

moisture absorbent material; (d) the inner strip of said pair being of thin, moisture impervious material,

(e) a relatively soft, flexible, elongated member of material that is substantially inextensible under a pulling strain applied longitudinally thereof extending substantially from end to end of said band along a longitudinally extending edge thereof;

(i) said longitudinally extending edge being folded around said member so as to enclose the latter with said moisture impervious strip next to said member and with said moisture absorbent strip outermost thereby forming a bead along said longitudinally extending edge, the folded portion of said moisture absorbent strip adapted to engage the skin of the head of said swimmer along said hair line adjacent to the latter,

(g) interengageable means secured to said end portions at the opposedly facing sides thereof adapted to releasably engage each other for securing said band in said head encircling relation,

(h) the longitudinally extending edges of said band being continuous and unbroken from end to end of said band, and

(i) said strips extending between said member and the longitudinally extending edge of said band opposite to said member being continuous and substantially flat from end to end of said bend, and

(j) said marginal portions including said member being unbroken and continuous from one of said end portions to the other.

5. In a construction as defined in claim 1,

(It) said band being substantially uniform in Width and straight from end to end thereof, and

(i) a strip of resilient, soft, compressible, sponge-like material disposed between the marginal portion of said moisture impervious material and the marginal portion of said moisture absorbent material for the length of said hand between said end portions,

(j) said interengaging means being a pair of tapes one of which has a plurality of flexible hooks projecting from one side thereof and the other being a mat of fibers adapted to be releasably engaged by said hooks in any angular position of said end portions relative to each other whereby the portion of said band between said member and the longitudinally extending edge of the band is adapted to be contoured to follow different contours of the hair along said hair line in a direction transversely of said band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,028,826 Miller June 4, 1912 1,861,669 Van Sickle June 7, 1932 1,969,352 Cavanagh Aug. 7, 1934 2,282,220 Gage May 5, 1942 2,717,437 De Mestral Sept. 13, 1955 

